Old sporterized 1917 Enfield; wierd markings, can't identify
Doug
Winchester, 28xxxx" on the receiver at my parent's house. This rifle
has an old monte carlo style stock with a rubber pad and has had it's
iron sights removed. There's a set of drilled and tapped (scope?)
holes (in line with the barrel/receiver) in front of and behind the
ejector port and a set of plugs on the barrel where I'd expect the
front sight to be.
The barrel seems short to me and measures in at just over 21.5 inches
from crown to the receiver/barrel thread "gap".
I've checked a few web sites for information and several of the stamps
on this rifle don't seem to corrospond to anything listed. I'm puzzled
because although the receiver is marked "Winchester", the safety
switch and bolt are both stamped "E" (Eddyfield?). Also, the "E" is on
the rear of the bolt, not on the lever as most resources indicate it
should be.
The bolt *does* have a stamp on the lever where I'd expect the
manufacturer marking to be, but it's an "O" with the picture of what
looks like an iron bomb on fire next to it.
The barrel is even more puzzling; nowhere can I find an "E", "R",
"W","HS" or "JA". It's only marked/stamped at the receiver end with
the same iron bomb emblem, "30/06", the number "32" and several
emblems that look like licks of flame or a lobster claw with various
numbers underneath them. The barrel looks blued, not Parkerized to me.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
D. Elick
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rb...@fuse.net
#I found an sporterized 1917 Enfield marked "U.S. Model of 1917,
#Winchester, 28xxxx" on the receiver at my parent's house. This rifle
#has an old monte carlo style stock with a rubber pad and has had it's
#iron sights removed. There's a set of drilled and tapped (scope?)
#holes (in line with the barrel/receiver) in front of and behind the
#ejector port and a set of plugs on the barrel where I'd expect the
#front sight to be.
#
I've got its twin brother, somewhere. My father bought it right after
WWII and sporterized it. That was done by many people that couldn't
or wouldn't buy a new rifle. He was lucky enough to get a Winchester,
and those were the most sought after. Most GIs were trained on bolt
guns and some learned to use them pretty well. There was a rolling or
rocking motion with the tight sling that allowed them to work the
action and get back on target. Aimed shots almost as fast as Garand.
Many of these guns were reworked and had parts swapped. That could be
your situation. I'd advise you to find someone wth a good collection
of American Rifleman magazines from the 1950s and spend an evening
with them. Maybe even your library. I assume you know about
Decembers index. Everyone wanted a project gun back then. These were
the guns of choice, if not 1903s. Those were expensive.
Dick Buirg
Evanjoe610
finally the Eddystone.
Quite a few of these old warhorses were converted to 300 Weatherby Magnum.
Good solid reliable actions.
Brian Meyer
obviously has been cut down.
The "E" marking is for Eddystone. Apparently yours was reworked with a
mix of parts.
The "iron bomb on fire" is the US Ordinance symbol. Look on 1903 rifles
or Garand bayonets and you'll find similar markings.
As your barrel was cut down, you lost the maker's mark that usually
resides behind the front site.
The "licks of flame or lobster claw" is actually a stylized eagle's head
used as a proof mark on the 1917 and early 1903's.
It's a shame she's been sporterized. The value on these rifles is
climbing daily.
Here's a link to a picture of the 1917 I got at a pawnshop last week.
http://public.fotki.com/ThePitbullofLove/gats-things_that/us_model_of_1917/
hope this helped some.
BJM
Doug wrote:
> ...